Alanine4-oxytocin



United States Patent OfiFice Patented May 9, 1967 The present invention relates to a hitherto unknown polypeptide of Formula I,

in which R" has the above significance, may be condensed with a reactive derivative of the free acid of formula III,

(III) in which R and R" have the above significance, to give the nonapeptide derivative IV.

$113 CH3 $5H4OH (3H2 CIIONHI CHa-CH: (DH-CH3 $11, (DH-CH3 CH3 (3H; CH, 311, NHg-CH-C O-NH-CH-C O-NH-CH-C ONHCHC ONHCHC O-NH-GH-C o-N- 'JH-o O-NH-(JH-C O-NH-CHz-C ONH:

CH2 CH2 I l S s Cys Tyr Ileu Ala Asp Cys Pro Leu Gly The unknown polypeptide of Formula I may be obtained by oxidizing a rectilinear nonapeptide of Formula V.

$13: (3H3 SIH CaHlOH CH: CIIONHi SIH CHa-CHz (RH-CH3 (3H1 CH1 (DH-CH: CH: ([3111 (ll a (1311i ([3 2 NHz-CH-C ONH-CHC ONHCH-C O-NH-CH-C O-NH-OH-C O-NH-CH-C ONOH-C O-NH-CH-C O-NHCH2C ONH: (V

Cys 'Iyr Ileu Ala Asp Cys Pro Leu Gly in aqueous solution to give the produce I. The c-0mpound V may be obtained by reducing with an alkali metal a nonapeptide derivative of Formula V,

(IJ a I a s-R" (1 1L011 (3H, CIBONHQ sR" GE -CH (DH-CH3 OH: CH, OH-CH, CH CH1 0H; CH1 OH;

Cys Tyr Ileu Ala Asp in which R denotes a radical capable of protecting an amino radical in peptide synthesis, and

R" denotes a radical capable of protecting a sullfhydryl radical in peptide synthesis. The nonapeptide derivative IV may be obtained by Cys 1 r0 Leu Gly Examples of radicals for temporarily blocking the amino radical in the above process are the carbobenzoxy,

known methods for the production of peptides, it being carbo-p-chlorobenzyloxy, p-t-oluenesulphenyl or triphenylpossible to join together the amino acids in the order indicated above either one at a time or by first forming small peptide units and condensing these until compound IV is built up; for example, the hexapeptide derivative methyl radicals, while preferred radicals for protecting the sulfhydryl radical are phenyl, benzyl, p-bromobenzyl, p-chlorobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl or p-xylyl radicals; the benzyl radical is particularly advantageous for this of formula II (a new compound), purpose.

Ala Asp Cys Pro Len Gly $113 C ONHQ (IJUHAOII (III-I2 C|1Ha (IJONI-Ig CH2 CIT-CH3 CH2 CH2 The invention thus also includes pharmaceutical compositions containing, in addition to a physiologically acceptable inert carrier, the Compound I above.

CHz-CHz (IJHE s S Oys Tyr Ileu Glu Asp Gys Pro Leu Gly which contains a glutamine radical in the position in EXAMPLEI which Compound I has the alanine radical. However, the uterus contracting action of Compound I is much smaller than that of natural oxytocin. It is emphasized that Compound I causes practically no increase in blood pressure or inhibition of diuresis.

These remarkable properties are of great advantage in therapy, especially in gynaecology where breast-feeding troubles are experienced due to difficulties in evacuating the mammary gland, pain in feeding or pumping and in galactostasis or incipient mastitis puerperalis. These properties of Compound I are especially remarkable as modification of the oxytocin molecule as regards just one amino acid radical generally leads to a loss of activity; thus, by replacing asparagine with glutamine a substance results with practically no uterus contracting action and only a weak action on the mammary gland. Even in the case of the most trivial changes in the oxytocin molecule, e.g. the replacement of asparagine with iso-asparagine and glutamine with iso-glutamine, the oxytocic activity and the action on the mammary gland are lost.

One method of carrying out the process of the invention is, for example, as follows:

N carbobenxozy-L-alanine-p-nitrophenyl-ester is condensed with L-asparaginyl-S-benzyl-L-cysteinyl-L-prolyl- L-leucyl-glycinamide to give N-carbobenzoxy-L-alanyl-L- asparaginyl S benzyl L cysteinyl L- prolyl-L-leucylglycinamide. After splitting off the carbobenzoxy radical the resulting L-alanyl-L-asparaginyl-S-benzyl-L-cysteinyl- L-prolyl-L-leucyl-glycinamide is condensed with N-ptoluenesulphonyl S benzyl L-cysteinyl-L-tyrosyl-L-isoleucine-p-nitro-phenylester to give N-p-toluenesulphonyl- S benzyl L cysteinyl L tyrosyl L isoleucyl L- alanyl L asparaginyl S benzyl L cysteinyl L- prolyl-L-leucyl-glycinamide. This nonapeptide derivative is treated with an alkali metal, preferably sodium or potassium in liquid ammonia, whereby the rectilinear nonapeptide V results. This is converted into the biologically active, cyclic polypeptide I by oxidation, preferably with air, oxygen or hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution.

The polypeptide I may be used as a pharmaceutical as such or in the form of appropriate medicinal preparations for administration, e.g. parenterally, enterally or intranasally. In order to produce such medicinal preparations, the compounds of the invention are Worked up with organic or inorganic adjuvants which are inert and physiologically acceptable. Examples of such adjuvants :are as follows:

serving, stabilizing or wetting agents, solubilizers, sweetenmg and coloring substances or fiavorings.

(a) N-carbobenzoxy-L-alanyl-L-asparaginyl-S-benzyl- L-cysteiny l-L-proly l-L-leucyl-glycinamid e 29 g. of N carbobenzoxy-L-asparaginyl S benzyl-L- cysteinyl-L-prolyl-L-leucyl-glycinamide are dissolved in 400 cc. of anhydrous acetic acid which has been saturated with hydrogen bromide. It is left to stand for one hour at 20, evaporated in a vacuum at a temperature below 40, the residue washed carefully with diethylether and dissolved in 60 cc. of dimethylformamide after the addition of 5.6 cc. of triethylamine. 15 g. of N-carbobenzoxy- L-alanine-p-nitrophenylester are immediately added to this solution. After 20 hours at 20 a solid mass results Whichis suspended in 500 cc. of ethyl acetate. The precipitate is filtered, washed with ethyl acetate and absolute ethanol and dried in a vacuum. N- carbobenzoxy-L- alanyl L asparaginyl-S-benzyl L cysteinyl-L-prolyl-L- leucyl-glycinamide is obtained, having a melting point of 238. [a] =93 (c=1 in 95% acetic acid).

(b) N-p-toluenesulfonyl-S-benzyl-L-cysteinyl-L-tyrosyl-L- isoleucyl-L-alanyl-L-asparaginyl-S-benzyl-L-cysteinyl-L- prolyl-L-leucyl-glycinamide 17 g. of N carbobenzoxy L alanyl-L-asparaginyl-S- benzyl-L-cysteinyl-L-prolyl-L-leucyl-glycinamide are dissolved in 300 cc. of anhydrous acetic acid which has been saturated with hydrogen bromide, it is left to stand for one hour at 20 and evaporated in a vacuum at a temperature below 40. The residue is carefully washed with diethylether, dissolved in 60 cc. of dimethylformamide, 2.8 cc. of triethylamine are added and filtration is effected. 15 g. of N-p-toluenesulfonyl-S benzyl-L-cysteinyl-L-tyrosyl- L-isoleucine-p-nitro-phenylester are added to the filtrate. It is left to stand over night at 20 and the resulting solid mass is suspended in 400 cc. of ethyl acetate. The precipitate is filtered, it is Washed with ethyl acetate .and hot methanol and dried in a vacuum. N-p-toluenesulfonyl-S- benzyl L cysteinyl-L-tyrosyl-L-isoleucyl-L alanyl-L- asparaginyl S-benzyLL-cysteinyl-bprolyl-L-leucyl glycinamide is obtained having a melting point of 240. [a] =39 (c.=1 in dimethylformamide).

(c) L-cysteinyl-L-tyrosyl-L-is0leucyl-L-alanyl-L-asparaginyl-L-cysteinyl-L-propyl-L-leucy l-glycinamide Sodium or potassium metal is added to a solution of 5 g. of N-p-toluenesulfonyl-S-benzyl-L-cysteinyl-L-tyrosyl- L-isoleucyl-L-alanyl-L asparaginyl-S-benzyl-L-cysteinyl- L-prolyl-L-leucyl-glycinamide in 1200 cc. of dry liquid ammonia while stirring at the boiling point of the solution until a stable blue coloration results. After the addition of l g. of ammonium chloride the solution is evaporated to dryness. The residue contains L-cysteinyl-L- tyrosly-L-isoleucyl-L-alanyl-L asparaginyl-L-cysteinyl-L- prolyl-L-leucyl-glycinamidc.

(d) Polypeptide Co nipound I The material, containing L-cysteinyl-L-tyrosyl-L-isoleucyl-L-alanyl-L-asparaginyl L cysteinyl-L prolyl-L- ieucyl-glycinamide from step (c) above is dissolved in 5 dition of 7.5 cc. of a N solution of hydrogen peroxide in litres of 0.01 N acetic acid and oxidized with a pH value water at a pH value of 4.0-6.0 (instead of oxidation by of 6.5-8.0 by introducing air or oxygen for one hour at introducing air or oxygen).

-40. The solution, which contains the substance I, is What we claim is:

brought to a pH value of 4.0-5.0 and after the addition 1. A polypeptide of the formula of 50 g. of sodium chloride it is evaporated to dryness, all of whose amino acids (except glycine) are of the L whereby a dry powder results which is stable. It may configuration. be stored and when used it may be dissolved to a clear 2. A polypeptide of the formula:

CH5 CH3 SH ofimoH (3H, 0 ONE: SH 011F011, (EH-CH3 5H; 6H: H-CHa CH3 3112 (EH: (3H1 Hg NHz-CH-O O-NH-CHC O-NH-OH-C O-NH-CH-C O-NH-( JH-O O-NH-( JH-G ON( )HC ONHCHC oNH-oH,-o ONH:

Oys Tyr Ileu Ala. Asp Oys Pro Leu Gly solution. However, the solution may .also be used as all of whose amino acids (except glycine) are of the L such, if desired after diluting with water or a salt configuration. solution. 3. A polypeptide of the formula:

CH; CHa S-R oflHlofl ('JH, OONHz S-R OHg-CH; omen, (3H, CH1 OBI-CH3 CHa OH: OH, 0H,, CH, -NH-H-C O-NH-OH-C o-NH-oH-o O-NH-( JH-G O-NH( JH-C O-NHCHC O-NOHO O-NH-CH-O O-NH-CHz-C ONE,

Cys Tyr Ileu Ala Asp Oys Pro Leu Gly EXAMPLE 2 all of Whose amino acids (except glycine) .are of the L figuration in which R is a member selected from the The same rocedure as m Exam 1e 1 (a 1s used. The con process is fu ther eifected as in Ff xam plgl (b), except group conslstmg of carbobengoxy carbo'p'chlorobsn.zyl' that instead of N-p-toluenesulfonyl-S benzyl-L-cysteinylf' i g 2 2 m 'p i 1s L-tyrosyl-L-isoleucine-p-nitrophenylester an equivalent b cm at Se ece mm 6 group conslstlllg of enyl amount of N-p-toluenesulfonyl-S-benzy1 L cysteinyl-L- p'bromobenzyl p'chlorobenzyl, p'mtrobenzyl and tyrosyl-L-isoleucyl-azide is used. The process is further y effected as in Example 1 (c) and (d).

EXAMPLE 3 The same procedure as in Example 1 (a) is used. The process is further efiected as in Example 1 '(b), except OTHER REFERENCES a instead of N-p40111e11csulfonyPS-benzy1-Leysteiny1- Bodanszky et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 81, 5688-5691 L-tyrosyl-L-isoleucine p nitrophenylester an equivalent (1959) amount of N carbobenzoxy S y y y Jaquenod et al., Halv. Chim. Acta 45, 1462-1472 tyrosyl-L-isoleucyl-azide is used. The process is further (19 2) eifected as in Example 1 (c) and (d). Schroder et .aL, The Peptides, vol. II, New York, EXAMPLE 4 Academic Press, 1966, pp. 281-374.

00 The same procedure as in Example 1, 2 or 3 is used.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 6,400,037 7/ 1964 Netherlands.

LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner. However, final oxidation is eifected at 0-40" by the ad- M, M. KASSENOFF, Assistant Ex min 

1. A POLYPEPTIDE OF THE FORMULA 